Good article. It is a grave mistake to let any law enforcement officer search your car, your home, or any of your belongings without a paper (viewable) signed search warrant. People need to be seriously disabused of the notion that you’re going to be a nice, good citizen and let the police search you, thinking, “What do I have to hide?”
Nonsense! No probable cause, no search warrant — NO SEARCH — ever!
When will people learn?
Just politely say no, followed by “lawyer” if it goes south.
What would you have done differently?
I think there was just a court decision that a federal officer can do suspicionless search and seizure on any vehicle within a hundred miles of the border (which covers almost all of Florida). Extrapolation to State and Local officers should be easy in Court.
Don’t Talk to Police
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc
The wife was very unhelpful. The best place for people to start is to make sure they have their stories straight at all times. Apparently the driver in this case chose not to carry, but then didn’t tell the Mrs. Poor form.
Just a guess here but even if he cancels his CCW, he now is “KNOWN” to have firearms and it may or may not stay on his “permanent” record. Just guessin’ but there may be folks who obtained a CCW using a borrowed firearm and for some reason or other never actually obtained a firearm of their own. Are they now “tagged” as well? And would the “authorit-is” believe them if they were told that?
I’m not sure if this press accounts mention it, but the wife’s big fat mouth gave them plenty of probably cause to search.
Got pulled over in TN for speeding. 3 year old in back seat in child booster seat. Child seat was raised up on a cardboard box filled with papers. Box was about 3-4” high and bigger than the seat. I put it there so son could look out window between FL and OH as it was a long drive.
Anyway state cop says “what’s up with the child seat? Mind if I look in your car and make sure that seat is secure?” Exact quote.
I said OK.
He immediately opened the front passenger door and started looking under the seat.
I immediately said “what the hell are you doing?” And he replied,”sir, you gave me consent to search your car. Are you now revoking that consent?”
I said “you asked to look at the seat, not search me!”
Long story short: no continued search but three tickets - speeding, improper restraint and tv screen in view of driver. Winnie the Pooh was playing on a mini DVD player on console wedged between the seats.
They are trained to weasel consent searches any way they can.
And make life very painful in you refuse.